Rum Runner Liveaboard, Australia

Excellent food and drinks

“I booked this trip looking for a more authentic and communal experience on the Great Barrier Reef and the Rum Runner exceeded my e…”

Taylor Q, United States United States
Read 20 more reviews

Highlights

  • Budget-friendly diving in the Great Barrier Reef
  • Dive with sharks at remote locations
  • 6 dives available including a night dive

The S.V. Rum Runner Australia is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to dive into the Great Barrier Reef. There are 2 tours available: an itinerary away from the crowds at the Outer Great Barrier Reef or an expedition to dive with sharks at the even more remote Holmes Reef. The classic 1-night tour is perfect for divers, snorkelers, or people who want to try diving in this amazing area. 6 dives are available, including a night dive, meaning you will get the most out of your 2 days on the Great Barrier Reef. The Coral Sea shark-diving trip is a must for the more adventurous diver. Holmes Reef lies 90 miles outside of the Great Barrier Reef, so due to its isolation is home to abundant sharks, large pelagic fish life, and incredible visibility - up to 50m.

The S/V Rum Runner can accommodate up to 16 guests in twin and 4-share single bunk-style berths. Cabins are not spacious or private - more like a multi-share hostel on water, but ideal for resting after diving or snorkeling. Common areas include an open salon, galley, and covered and open deck areas. There are also charging areas for cameras and phones and separate male and female shared bathrooms with hot water showers. All meals are included, but the boat operates a Bring Your Own Alcohol policy - no glass allowed.

Operating dive tours in the Great Barrier Reef since 2005, the Rum Runner liveaboard is perfect for the adventurous diver wanting to explore Australia's Barrier Reef and beyond. Book online today to reserve your space.


Choose your departure date

Date
Itinerary
Price
Select

Included: VAT, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Visas and Fees, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package.

Required Extras: Environment Tax (40 AUD per trip), Fuel Surcharge (20 AUD per day).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Soft drinks (2 AUD per item), Rental Gear (140 AUD per trip), Scuba Diving Courses (220 AUD), Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

  • Visa payments
  • MasterCard payments
  • American Express payments
  • Paypal payments
  • ApplePay payments

Pay by bank transfer or online with Best Price Guaranteed


Boat features

  • Camera Station
  • Aircon Cabins
  • Sun Deck
  • Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
  • Warm Water Showers
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Charging stations
  • Family Cabins
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
  • Dedicated Local & International Crew
  • Available for Charter

Food & Drinks

  • Western Food
  • Local Food
  • Vegetarian Options
  • Buffet style
  • Snacks All Day
  • Vegan Options
  • Full-board Option

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.


Diving

  • DIN Adaptors
  • Dive deck

The crew speaks English.


Gear Rental

There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.


Drawings & Vessel Layouts

#deckplan floorplan

Accommodation


Boat Specifications

  • Year built 1984
  • Length 66ft
  • Max guests 16

Boat Navigation and Safety

  • Radar
  • Depth Sounder
  • GPS
  • Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
  • E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
  • Emergency Rafts
  • Life Vests
  • Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
  • Oxygen
  • First Aid Kits
  • Fishfinder
  • Satellite & mobile phones
  • Bilge pump alarm
  • Search light

Rum Runner Reviews

  • 9.1 Superb
  1. Vessel
    7.7
  2. Crew
    9.1
  3. Food
    9.7
  4. Diving
    9.4
  5. Value
    9.6
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Taylor Q
  • United States United States
The most authentic way to see the Great Barrier Reef

I booked this trip looking for a more authentic and communal experience on the Great Barrier Reef and the Rum Runner exceeded my expectations, would 100% recommend to anyone. Because of the size, the passengers and crew quickly became like family. You get to go to a few different dive spots without seeing crowds of other boats or tourists, and seeing the stars at night is so worth the overnight experience. The crew is absolutely fantastic - they make you feel right at home with added benefits of full cooked meals, education and entertainment. They even made each dive feel catered to your skillset. Keep in mind you probably won't sleep very much since the bunks aren't air conditioned (they are comfortable though) and the rules are 3 second showers so be prepared to be a little salty and sweaty, all part of the experience though! Perfect mix of snorkeling and diving which is great for any skill level, and solo or group travelers. This will be one of my favorite experiences in Australia.

Recommended for
Amazing crew, opportunity to bond with other passengers, secluded days on the reef!
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Ben S
  • Australia Australia
An experience I won't soon forget

We saw multiple sharks, rays and turtles. Despite not seeing much sealife during the night dive it was a great experience. The evening talk on the fish we will find on the reef was both entertaining and interesting

Recommended for
The locations of the dives were perfect and offered a wide variety of sealife. The crew was friendly, funny and helpful in answering any questions I had. The boat was well equipped for it's size and I think the small number of people helped the trip feel more unique.
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Filip L
  • Denmark Denmark
Great experience.

Last dive on the reef was exceptionel.

Recommended for
Staff and the guests together.
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Guillaume J
  • France France
Had a blast

Boat choses the spot so you're the only boat on the reef in the best possible reef (relative to weather etc)

Recommended for
Bang for buck, crew friendliness, freedom to explore away from the crowds
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Nellie P
  • Finland Finland
Amazing diving trip!

The night dive was a totally new experience for me, and it was amazing! And the diving spots were a dream come true

Recommended for
The crew, all of the dives, the reefs
  • 8.0 Very good
  • ALISTAIR B
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
Cheerful, friendly, diving with no frills.

The biggest highlight was being buzzed by a manta ray.

Recommended for
The friendly crew, the food served up on board and the assistance and advice given on board
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Will R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
Amazingly friendly trip, absolute highlight of my trip to Australia

Sucba diving through "The Laybrinth" or "Five ways" coral reefs, seeing the amazing fish and turtles and corals, hilarious and interesting stories from the crew members

Recommended for
Friendly staff, well planned, stunning reefs
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Jarno L
  • Finland Finland
Highly recommended

This was a wonderful experience. Everything was well organised, the crew knew what they were doing and were super friendly to boot. Nice combination of showing where the best dive spots are while still allowing you to explore at your own pace. Highly recommended.

Recommended for
Great atmosphere, friendly and professional crew, top-notch dive spots
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Yvonne N
  • Czech Republic Czech Republic
I enjoyed it very much

Perfectly selected diving spots, very good organization of dives and perfect servis on the boat

Recommended for
great diving, crew frienlinnes, good food
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jess G
  • Australia Australia
Excellent Experience

We had excellent weather the whole trip and as a result epic visibility. I didn’t dive, I snorkelled, and my experience was the dive crew preferred the company of divers that at times felt like the snorkelers weren’t given direction or guidance. Otherwise the whole experience was fabulous. The menu was very complimentary to lots of time in the water. The skipper was really friendly and knowledgeable. The dive sites were incredibly beautiful and vibrant - exactly how I had hope to experience The Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommend.

Recommended for
Excellent weather - friendly skipper - authentic experience